London Bus Routes (4)

Tony Devenish: How many London bus routes have been scrapped since May 2016?

The Mayor: Please see my response to Mayor’s Question 2019/20387.
Since then, route 48 has been withdrawn as part of a package of changes including an increase in frequency of the 26, extension of route 388 to London Bridge and rerouting and extension of route 55 to Walthamstow.

London Bus Routes (1)

Tony Devenish: How many bus routes were there in London in May 2016?

The Mayor: In May 2016, there were 676 routes operating in London. This is counting 24-hour routes as one route rather than separate day and night routes and includes temporary routes.

Training for TfL Revenue Protection Officers

Jennette Arnold: What procedural training do revenue protection officers receive in order to make sure customers are prosecuted fairly?

The Mayor: Transport for London’s (TfL) Revenue staff undertake procedural training to help them determine whether to issue a penalty fare or to report a customer to TfL’s Investigations, Appeals & Prosecutions (IAP) team, which would then determine if a prosecution is appropriate.
Revenue staff training is detailed and covers:

Unifying NHS 111

Onkar Sahota: It is essential that only people who really need to be in A&E are taken to hospital, but the London Ambulance Service’s (LAS’) efforts to do this are hindered by the fragmentation of NHS 111 services across private providers. Will you raise this issue with LAS and NHS London chiefs to see how the situation can be improved?

The Mayor: I agree – it is essential that people are treated in the right place and at the right time, and for many people, this isn’t A&E.
LAS has been leading important work aimed at reducing the number of people being taken to hospital by ambulance unnecessarily, for example the Perfect Day trial they led last year.
In addition, the NHS has been working with partners to deliver an integrated system to access urgent and emergency care, and to standardize the pathways for calls to both 999/111. This will support assessment, triage, and onward referrals, and help ensure people are treated in the right place at the right time.
I will continue to discuss these challenges with LAS and NHS Chiefs, and am exploring how I can further support LAS with similar initiatives.

Discounts for Gold Record Travelcards

Caroline Pidgeon: What is the estimated number of off-peak pay as you go rail journeys made at a discount by Gold Record Travelcard holders in 2019?

The Mayor: Transport for London estimates that 350,000 off-peak pay as you go journeys were made using a Gold Card discount in 2019.

Bromley-by-Bow Crossings and Road Levelling Scheme

Unmesh Desai: Please provide an update on TfL’s progress on this scheme.

The Mayor: The Bow Vision scheme has completed the feasibility stage. A single option selection workshop was held in December with key stakeholders such as London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC), the London Borough of Newham and London Borough of Tower Hamlets. Subject to approvals, the project now has a single option that can be progressed through the concept design stage, subject to a funding agreement with the LLDC and confirmation that the entire development site will progress in the next few years.

Street lighting in Camden Road

Andrew Dismore: The defective street lighting has been reported to TfL by a resident on several occasions, dating back to 6 February 2018. Will you get TfL to fix this problem?

The Mayor: Thank you for bringing this to my attention.
Transport for London (TfL) carries out weekly night-time inspections on its network during the winter months, including Camden Road. In summer, these checks are carried out fortnightly. If an issue is identified during these inspections, it will either be fixed straight away if possible or followed up and fixed as soon as possible. On occasion, repairs can take slightly longer, for example if the issue is related to a power supply problem that TfL needs to work with UK Power Networks to resolve.
So that TfL can investigate this case further, I have asked that its Assembly Relations team contacts you to obtain further information, such as the location on Camden Road and the nature of the defect.

Mental Health Inequalities

Navin Shah: To address mental health inequalities in London you’ve teamed up with Thrive LDN. Can you provide more information on how they use research to inform the criteria used for their community fund to address the issue?

The Mayor: Thrive LDN is a participation-driven partnership that engages with and responds to the needs and insights of Londoners. One area of Thrive LDN’s work is funding the Young London Inspired (YLI) grants scheme which is delivered in partnership with Team London and the #iwill Fund to support young Londoners aged 10-20 take part in volunteering and social action projects. Research and data have shown this age group are at greater risk of poor mental health. There is also strong evidence that participation in voluntary and social action activities are protective factors for young people’s wellbeing and emotional resilience.
Thrive LDN is also about to launch the Right to Thrive grants scheme to support intersectional and marginalised communities following research on how stigma and discrimination contributes to poor mental health and wellbeing.
This work is just part of the approach Thrive LDN is taking to support young people across London to live happy and fulfilling lives.

Skills for Londoners innovation fund for health and social care

Onkar Sahota: How many a) total and b) successful bids for projects relating to health and social care have been received by the Skills for Londoners innovation fund?

The Mayor: I recognise the importance of supporting Londoners to develop the skills to work in our under-funded health and social care sectors. The Skills for Londoners Innovation Fund is providing £6.4 million in Adult Education Budget grant funding this year to support innovative activity that meets my priorities for skills and education in the capital. This is a competitive award process and officers at the GLA are currently in the process of assessing provider applications. Following the conclusion of that process, I will make a decision on which applications will be successful at the upcoming Adult Education Budget Mayoral Board on 19 February.

Great Northern Rail Franchise (1)

Joanne McCartney: Can you provide an update on TfL’s bid to take over the Great Northern rail services out of Moorgate?

The Mayor: The Strategic Outline Business Case has been submitted by Department for Transport (DfT) officials to the Secretary of State for Transport for consideration. If approval is given, Transport for London (TfL) will work with the DfT, Network Rail and the incumbent operator Great Northern to progress the many practicalities associated with transferring the services. TfL has also allocated funding in its latest Business Plan for the associated costs.

Blocked Gully - Camden High Street by NatWest Bank

Andrew Dismore: This gully has been blocked for over 18 months. It causes a problem as drivers cause the water to splash onto pedestrians. It has been reported by a resident to TfL on 30 Apr 2018, 7 Feb 2019,10 Sept 2019 and 17 Dec 2019with no remedial action. Will you get TfL to deal with this?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) is aware of this issue and has previously attempted to clear the gully. However, these attempts have unfortunately only been effective for short periods of time. A survey has now been carried out and a blockage has been discovered approximately 12 metres down the pipe. TfL has asked its contractors to remove this blockage and is currently waiting on a confirmed date for works to begin. In the meantime, TfL is monitoring the area as a high priority and attending to any excess water as quickly as possible.

TfL power (2)

Leonie Cooper: Please provide an update on the feasibility studies across 40 TfL sites to identify potential future opportunities for further solar panel installation.

The Mayor: Transport for London has commissioned a detailed feasibility study of 40 of its largest rooftops to understand which would represent the most suitable locations for future solar panel installation. This work started in November 2019 and includes site inspections, structural assessments and mechanical and electrical surveys. The most suitable roofs will be progressed to full design. This study is expected to be complete by spring 2020.

London Bus Routes (2)

Tony Devenish: How many bus routes are there in London today?

The Mayor: Today, 676 bus routes continue to operate in London. This is counting 24-hour routes as one route rather than separate day and night routes, and includes temporary routes.
Since 2016, there have been several service changes, including new routes and route withdrawals as well as the splitting of some 24-hour routes into separate day and night routes due to route restructuring.

TfL Annual Travel Report (2)

Nicky Gavron: TfL’s most recent Annual Travel Report showed that the number of kilometres cycled increased by almost five per cent in 2018 from the previous year but cycling accounted for only 2.5 per cent of all trips within London in 2018, up by just 0.1 per cent, on 2017. What is driving this discrepancy and how are you working to increase cycling’s trip-based mode share?

The Mayor: This is not a discrepancy as such as it reflects the current relatively low mode share of cycling (2.5 per cent) and therefore the proportionately small effect of a substantial increase in cycling trips themselves on the overall mode share statistic. The report shows that both cycling trips and their mode share continue to increase, as a contribution to my overall 80 per cent target for active, efficient and sustainable modes. In particular, the report notes that the increases in cycling trips recorded where new infrastructure has been opened so far have been above background growth. This was also accompanied by favourable feedback from users.
My Cycling action plan sets out ambitious plans to increase cycling based mode share, whilst those projects currently funded are set out in the recently published Transport for London Business Plan.

Single decker bus safety

Caroline Russell: I was saddened to hear of the death of a bus driver in a serious crash between a Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) and two single decker Transport for London (TfL) buses on 31 October 2019. What assessment does TfL have of the effectiveness of safety features on single decker buses, compared with double decker buses?

The Mayor: I too was saddened to hear of the death of bus driver Kenneth Matcham in October last year. My thoughts continue to be with Kenneth’s family, friends and colleagues.
While I cannot comment on this specific case until the investigation is concluded, I can assure you that all bus types due to enter service in London undertake rigorous safety assessments at independent testing facilities prior to their delivery as part of the Vehicle Certification Agency’s Type Approval process.
My world-leading Bus Safety Standard, which began roll out in August 2019, comprises a suite of safety features that apply to all new single and double decker buses.

A&E performances in London

Andrew Dismore: What is your assessment of the latest figures on Accident and Emergency waiting times for hospital trusts in London?

The Mayor: The latest figures show that no hospital trust in London delivered the four-hour standard, and that the percentage decreased from October to November. They also show that there is a steady increase in the number of people accessing A&E services.
This does, of course, concern me. But with increasing demand and winter pressures – and a lack of investment – it is no surprise that hospitals are struggling to keep within the four-hour timeframe.
I will continue to press for improvements to NHS performance, including A&E waiting times, at my regular meetings with the Regional Director of NHS England and NHS Improvement.

Buses from Hackney to Bethnal Green Stations

Jennette Arnold: Constituents are raising concerns that changes to bus timetables in Hackney mean that at peak times services between Hackney and Shoreditch and Bethnal Green Station have been reduced. As a result buses are crowded and for those travelling with luggage it is difficult to board. Please detail how TfL will ensure that people are not left behind by a lack of buses at peak times.

The Mayor: As set out in my response to Mayor’s Question 2019/20789, Transport for London will continue to monitor the effects of recent changes over the coming weeks. It will analyse bus demand and capacity data to assess whether any additional capacity is needed.

London Working Rent

Caroline Russell: In 2018/3062 you and Transport for London (TfL) committed to work with the East End Trades Guild (EETG) regarding affordable rents for small businesses. What work have you done to: a) introduce affordable working rents for small business tenants across London, and b) develop a “flexible formula of rental affordability for small and micro businesses”?

The Mayor: Last year, Transport for London (TfL) published its Statement of Support for Small Business (available online: http://content.tfl.gov.uk/tfl-statement-of-support-for-small-businesses.pdf). In doing so, it became the first landlord to respond to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) plea to publicly show commitment to small businesses. The statement outlines how TfL is helping its small business tenants with a specific lease for small businesses alongside targeted support through, for example, transparent rent review/lease renewal processes and, where appropriate, stepped rents.
In addition, working with partners at sites such asAuction Rooms in Camden Town andHackney Depot in Ash Grove, TfL will be providing affordable co-working space as well as space for crafters and makers.
More broadly, TfL continues to work closely with the FSB, the East End Trades Guild and others – and later this year TfL will publish a Small Business Policy, setting out its wider approach to affordable workspace for small and micro businesses.

184 Bus route

Andrew Dismore: The 184 bus route serves between Chesterfield Road in Barnet and Turnpike Lane. Many residents who not only depend on the 184 bus to get into school, work or just go about their daily business but also to get home, have faced significant frustrations and unreliable service for many months now. In some cases, it is only to bus routes serving some residents (e.g. along Chesterfield Road towards Mays Lane and Manor Road) and therefore there are no feasible alternatives. Moreover, the lack of information or update relating to problems on the service makes it even more difficult to deal with. There are a number of issues relating to the bus route but the main problem is long wait times and inevitable crowding that sometimes means leaving people at bus stops frustrated and angry. What can you do to improve this service?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) was aware of concerns over the reliability of the 184 bus route towards the end of last year and has been monitoring the service closely.
Daily delays of up to 40 minutes were being caused by roadworks at the junction of Bowes Road and Palmerston Road. However, the roadworks were completed in December 2019, and customers should now be seeing an improvement to the reliability of the service. TfL will continue to monitor the service closely.
Information on bus service disruptions can be found on the TfL website: https://tfl.gov.uk/bus/status/.

Sexual health home testing kits

Siân Berry: A constituent has informed me that home testing kits for sexually transmitted infections are currently being rationed in Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham. What can you do to ensure all Londoners have access to this testing option?

The Mayor: London boroughs are mandated to commission comprehensive open access sexual health services, including free STI testing and treatment. The introduction of STI home testing has been a welcome addition and should be an option available to all Londoners.
However, London boroughs are facing increasing pressure on sexual health services which are unsustainable without adequate funding from Government. I have repeatedly stated, including in my submission to the secretary of state on the prevention green paper, that I want to see a reversal of the cuts in the public health grant to local authorities to ensure important services such as these can be properly funded.
Furthermore, I will ask my health advisor to explore the distribution of STI kits in Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham.

Great Northern Rail Franchise (2)

Joanne McCartney: What discussions have taken place between the Department of Transport and Transport for London on TfL taking over the Great Northern rail franchise?

The Mayor: Transport for London has been in detailed discussions with the Department for Transport on the transfer of Great Northern services for some months, including on the development of a Strategic Outline Business Case. My responses to Mayor’s Question2020/0338 and Mayor's Question 2020/0279 provide more detail on the next steps.

Measuring social value in the NHS supply chain (3)

Onkar Sahota: In your answer 2019/20016, you stated that the NHS “can stimulate investment in the local economy, urge its suppliers to pay the London Living Wage and require them to consider their own environmental impact”. Are you satisfied that this is being done?

The Mayor: I was pleased to see the NHS Long Term Plan describe the work the NHS is doing to support wider social goals, including helping shape local communities, taking action on sustainable development and acknowledging its role as an ‘anchor institution’ in local communities.
In London, there are already areas of good practice. For example, Imperial College Healthcare has recently started to pay all catering, portering and cleaning staff the London Living Wage, joining the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital which already does so. Imperial is also exploring its role as an anchor institution, mapping its existing work - such as supported internships for local young people with learning disabilities - and considering further work.
I am keen to see all NHS organisations take action. I will continue to encourage the NHS to realise its full potential to enhance social value across London.

Measuring social value in the NHS supply chain (2)

Onkar Sahota: What lessons can the NHS learn from the GLA collaborative procurement board?

The Mayor: The Collaborative Procurement Board has equal representation from all GLA Group organisations, despite differing organisational sizes and budgets, and this has proved to be highly effective. Focusing on common and simple services across the Group has delivered more than £30m savings to date. Through collaboration the GLA Group has leveraged spend with various supply markets, reducing internal resources needed to undertake procurement exercises. The Board is now in a position to consider more complex categories of spend which are common across the group. The Board also oversees Responsible Procurement and ensures the GLA Group has a joined up approach.
My officers would be happy to discuss this approach with NHS representatives. My Responsible Procurement team is also developing a set of London-specific ‘Themes, Measures and Outcomes’ (TOMS) to help measure the social value provided by public spending, which will be available for use by the boroughs and the NHS.

Demographics of Healthy Schools London award

Onkar Sahota: What percentage of schools signed up to the Healthy Schools London award are in Lower Layer Super Output Areas (LSOAs) in a) the 10% most deprived areas, b) the 20% most deprived areas, c) the 20% least deprived areas?

The Mayor: The figures are outlined below:
The percentage of schools signed up to the Healthy Schools London award in Lower Layer Super Output Areas (LSOAs) in:

a) the 10% most deprived areas: Number of schools participating in HSL are 74 out of 2157 representing 3% of registered schools.
b) the 20% most deprived areas: Number of schools participating in HSL are 406 out of 2157 representing 19% of registered schools.
c) the 20% least deprived areas: Number of schools participating in HSL are 278 out of 2157 representing 13% of registered schools.

New nurses for London

Onkar Sahota: How many of the 36,000 new nurses and 14,000 “retained” nurses that the Government promised will be assigned to London NHS trusts?

The Mayor: Nurse recruitment and retention is a matter for the NHS and Health Education England. There will no doubt be work underway following the Department of Health and Social Care’s recent announcement and I would expect more detailed plans to be published in due course. London’s percentage of the NHS workforce is typically around 15-20% of the national total, so we would expect around 6,300 and 2,450 respectively. I will continue to raise health and care workforce in my regular meetings with NHS London Regional Director, Sir David Sloman.

Cycle 9 Consultation (2)

Tony Devenish: Can you confirm that TfL’s Cycleway 9 consultation analysis counts each response from a residents’ group as if it were from 1 person?

The Mayor: The scheme has been subject to a full public consultationwhere5,388 direct responseswere received. A further consultation was also carried out togather views on amended proposals that addressed some key local concerns – where a further 1,491direct responses were received.
A small proportion (93) of the responses to the initial consultation were from stakeholders, which included politicians, statutory bodies, employers, trade organisations, residents’ associations, developers, campaign groupsanddisability groups. Each stakeholder response was recorded as a single response, but was reported in more detail, with each response individually summarised in the consultation report.
Transport for London’s (TfL’s) consultations aim to make all interested parties aware of its proposals and how to give their views. A consultation is not a referendum, and decisions are not based solely on whether a majority of people support or oppose a proposal. In making decisions, TfL carefully considers all consultation responses and the issues they raise.

Cycleway 9 Consultation (1)

Tony Devenish: Can you confirm that every single residents’ group that responded to the initial Cycleway 9 consultation opposed it?

The Mayor: TfL’s first public consultation received 5,388 direct responses. 59 per cent of these responses were in support of the proposals. A further consultation was also carried out to gather views on amended proposals that addressed some key local concerns. A further 1,491 direct responses were received.
A small proportion (93) of the responses to the initial consultation were from stakeholders, which included politicians, statutory bodies, employers, trade organisations, residents’ associations, developers, campaign groups and disability groups. Not all residents’ groups that responded were opposed to our plans. For example, the Chiswick High Road Action Group’s response strongly supported a segregated Cycleway on Chiswick High Road, but the original plans did not go “far enough”.

Good thinking

Onkar Sahota: Do you know what evidence is there that the NHS’ Good Thinking programme improves mental wellbeing and / or reduces demand for mental health services?

The Mayor: More than 290,000 Londoners have used Good Thinking (GT) since November 2017. It continues to be a valuable resource for those with wellbeing concerns that are looking for an alternative to traditional services.

After completing a sleep test, 21,500 people progressed to getting personalised advice, potentially preventing many GP appointments. 7,330 people chose to do one of the cognitive behavioural therapy programmes, resulting in a clinically significant reduction in symptoms for those struggling with a diagnosable anxiety or depressive disorder.

London GPs using the EMIS record system are now referring patients with wellbeing concerns directly to GT approved apps. The self-assessment triage tool usually recommends home treatment options and non-urgent GP reviews (68.85 per cent). The GT team are working to increase the range of self-care recommendations. Together these tools are helping to reduce demand on mental health services.

The recent Good Thinking Journey report captures highlights and impacts of the service.

Oyster discounts with student Railcard discount (2)

Caroline Pidgeon: Are you satisfied that all retailers providing Oyster are fully aware that students with a Railcard should be offered discounts on Tube, DLR, London Overground and TfL Rail services?

The Mayor: Yes. All Transport for London (TfL) outlets that can set the Railcard discount on Oyster are briefed on the discount and how and when to set it.
In addition, TfL includes this information on their website. The Railcard is a National Rail product and I will ask the Rail Delivery Group to ensure their customer information makes it clear what users must do to get discounted travel on TfL services.

Bus Mileage (3)

Tony Devenish: Which London boroughs have seen an increase in bus mileage since May 2016?

The Mayor: A combination of service enhancements, route alterations and new routes means that, between the financial years 2016/17 and 2018/19, the following boroughs have seen an increase in bus mileage:
Borough-level data is produced on an annual basis so does not include recent changes. TfL will update the list once 2019/20 data becomes available.
Following recent changes to modernise the network and more closely match capacity to demand - particularly in central London - TfL will be growing the outer London bus network by 5 million kilometres over the next five years to accommodate growth and encourage new bus journeys.

Road traffic reduction and Vision Zero

Caroline Russell: Recent reports from the city of Oslo, where there was only one road traffic death in 2019, have highlighted the impact of traffic reduction on road danger. What assessments and data does Transport for London (TfL) have concerning the relationship between traffic volumes and road danger?

The Mayor: I am very encouraged to hear of the remarkable success of the city of Oslo in reducing the number of road traffic deaths to only one in 2019. Though Oslo’s population is far smaller than London’s, it shows that an approach incorporating traffic reduction measures can lead to a significant reduction in the number of people killed on a city’s roads. My own Vision Zero action plan (http://content.tfl.gov.uk/vision-zero-action-plan.pdf) recognises the importance of this relationship and states that “reducing the dominance and overall numbers of the most dangerous vehicles is central to the Healthy Streets Approach and to achieving Vision Zero, and will reduce Londoners’ exposure to road danger.”
Transport for London’s current research commission to develop a measure for road danger is exploring in more detail the relationship between traffic numbers and road danger. This work will complete in February 2020 and will be used to identify and prioritise high-risk locations for safety engineering.

48 Bus Route Closure and Alternative Routes

Jennette Arnold: The closure of the 48 bus route means that there is neither a direct bus from Walthamstow Central to London Bridge (previously 48 route) nor from Mare St to Elephant and Castle (previously 388). The changes are making bus travel more difficult for my constituents to travel across London. Please explain how you are encouraging my constituents to continue choosing to travel by bus whilst limiting the bus travel options open to them.

The Mayor: Route 48 was withdrawn and part-replaced by the extension of route 55 to Walthamstow bus station. This was part of changes to the central London bus network in response to falling passenger demand, including route 48 - where demand had decreased by 25 per cent between 2014 and the time of its withdrawal.
Following consultation feedback, Transport for London (TfL) revised proposals and extended route 388 between Liverpool St and London Bridge, ensuring a direct bus service continues to be available between Hackney and London Bridge. Customers travelling between Walthamstow Central and London Bridge can use route 55 and change to route 388 at Mare St. Passengers travelling between Mare St and Elephant and Castle can use route 388 and change at London Bridge to route 35, 133 or 343.
The number of people who travel between Walthamstow and London Bridge or Mare St and Elephant and Castle is small at 240 passengers - less than one per cent of total ridership on routes 48 and 388. Where possible, TfL has introduced same-stop interchange, as is the case between routes 55 and 388 at Mare Street in Hackney, and between the 388, 35 and 133 at London Bridge, to make this journey easier. My Hopper fare enables passengers to travel on multiple buses within an hour for the same fare as a single bus journey.
TfL has radically improved public transport in the London Borough of Hackney over the last decade. A new railway line has opened forming the East London Line, a new station has opened at Lea Bridge, and capacity and new trains have been added to the North London Line - including a 25 per cent increase in capacity in December 2019. TfL has taken over and made improvements to suburban West Anglia services that run through Hackney, resulting in a 48 per cent increase in demand. Overall, the London Borough of Hackney continues to have the highest sustainable mode share of any borough in London.

Silvertown Tunnel (2)

Caroline Pidgeon: As Londoners have a decision about their future leadership of the city in May 2020 will you ensure that all details of the contracts relating to the Silvertown Road tunnel are published, including any penalty clauses for cancelling the project? Are there any reasons why you believe the public should be denied this information before May 2020?

The Mayor: Please see my answer to Mayor’s Question 2020/0013.

Mayor’s Apprenticeship Programme – Apprenticeships for Londoners (1)

Leonie Cooper: The Mayor’s Apprenticeship Programme has launched a £1.2m programme to support future projects (https://www.london.gov.uk/decisions/md2522-changes-mayors-apprenticeship-programme). When will a decision be taken on who will be commissioned to provide the Apprenticeships for Londoners project?

The Mayor: The window for applications responding to the Apprenticeships for Londoners prospectus closed on 29 November 2019. Financial due diligence and assessment of applications is underway. Successful projects will be announced during National Apprenticeships week (week commencing 3rd February).

Mayor’s Apprenticeship Programme – Apprenticeships for Londoners (2)

Leonie Cooper: Which key sectors will the Apprenticeships for Londoners project target?

The Mayor: Applications for the Apprenticeships for Londoners projects were sought which targeted the seven priority sectors set out in the Mayor’s Economic Development Strategy: Advanced Urban Services, Cultural and Creative Industries, Financial and Business Services, Life Sciences, Low Carbon and Environmental Goods and Services, Tech and Digital, and Tourism. Applications targeting sectors covered by the London Progression Collaboration (retail, construction and hospitality) were excluded. (Please see my response to Mayor’s Question 2020/0195)

Mayor’s Apprenticeship Programme – Apprenticeships for Londoners (3)

Leonie Cooper: How will the Apprenticeships for Londoners project ensure BAME Londoners, disabled Londoners and female Londoners are encouraged to participate in apprenticeships?

The Mayor: The prospectus for Apprenticeships for Londoners set out specific diversity targets for each relevant outcome (such as apprenticeship starts) as follows: 50 per centfemale, 42 per centBAME, 10 per centdisabled. These targets are based on population levels. For sectors with specific diversity challenges, appropriate stretch targets will be set in consultation with successful applicants. Targets will be built into the performance framework for successful projects, and performance against the targets will be actively monitored. Applicants were also required to describe their project management approach, including governance, to ensure targets will be met and the quality of provision will be consistently high. Strong project governance and monitoring by both project delivery organisations and GLA officers will support effective and where necessary corrective interventions to increase participation of relevant under-represented groups.

2018 Taxi & Private Hire journey-related sexual offences

Keith Prince: Why has the Mayor failed to publish 2018 TPH journey-related sexual offences?

The Mayor: The 2018 Taxi and Private Hire journey-related sexual offences will be published later this month. Publication has been delayed as data is still being checked and verified.

London Progression Collaboration

Leonie Cooper: How is the London Progression Collaboration encouraging apprenticeships in retail, construction and hospitality?

The Mayor: The London Progression Collaboration (LPC) is supporting London’s retail, construction and hospitality businesses to maximise use of their apprenticeship levy funds to create apprenticeships for Londoners.
The LPC is being delivered by a joint GLA and Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) team, with support from the JP Morgan Foundation. The team are engaging businesses of all sizes, supporting levy-paying employers to create apprenticeships for new and existing employees in their business and in their sector, supply chain or local area through levy transfers, and supporting small businesses to access apprenticeship funding.
The LPC has a target of creating 1,098 apprenticeships between 2019 and 2021, with at least 824 apprenticeships sustained for at least one year.

Bus Driver Fatigue

Navin Shah: Loughborough University recently published findings from their pioneering research into bus driver fatigue. What steps will you take to ensure that learnings from the research are practically applied across the transport network to help ensure that risk of incidents are mitigated against?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) has outlined its plans to take forward the recommendations from the world-first research, which was published by Loughborough University and Swedish Road Transport Industry Report last year.
Key measures announced as a result include commitments that:
These measures aim to address the issues raised in the research and mitigate the risk of fatigue. Lessons learnt and effective measures relating to fatigue will be shared across TfL operations for application across the network as appropriate.

Piccadilly Line

Joanne McCartney: Can you please provide an update and timeline on the Piccadilly Line upgrade?

The Mayor: Design of the new Piccadilly line trains is proceeding to plan. Trains remain on target to arrive in London for testing from 2023 and will be introduced into passenger service from 2024, with the last of the 1973 Tube stock replaced by 2026.
The award of the Piccadilly line rolling stock contract has been a catalyst for Siemens to progress its investment in a new factory in Goole, where the new trains will be manufactured and assembled. The factory will create 250 UK jobs during construction and, once fully operational, it will employ up to 700 people in East Yorkshire.
The contract with Siemens also includes options for new rolling stock on the Bakerloo, Central and Waterloo & City lines.
It remains Transport for London’s (TfL) intention to press ahead with the essential replacement of the signalling on the Piccadilly line as soon as finances become available. TfL will continue to make the case to government for this essential investment.

Demographics of Healthy Early Years London (HEYL) award

Onkar Sahota: What percentage of early years settings signed up to the HEYL award are in Lower Layer Super Output Areas (LSOAs) in a) the 10% most deprived areas, b) the 20% most deprived areas, c) the 20% least deprived areas

The Mayor: As of December 2019, there were 1545 HEYL settings signed up to the HEYL award.
The percentage of early years settings signed up to the HEYL award in LSOAs is as follows:

a) the 10% most deprived areas: 3%

b) the 20% most deprived areas (incl 10% most deprived): 17% and (excluding 10% most deprived): 13%

c) the 20% least deprived areas: 16%

Rising child mortality

Jennette Arnold: A study published in the British Medical Journal attributes the unprecedented rise in child mortality between 2014 and 2017 to austerity. Inequality has widened between the poorest and richest areas, reversing the trend since 2000. What are you doing to address this in London?

The Mayor: While this study is concerning, colleagues at PHE report no increase in infant mortality in London between 2014 and 2017. Since the early 2000s the overall trend has been for small incremental year-on-year declines in infant mortality in London.
While any reduction in child mortality is welcome, there is still more to be done. In 2019 I commissioned research which showed Government tax and benefit reforms are set to push an extra 100,000 Londoners – including 75,000 children – into poverty by 2021-22.
I want every London child to have a healthy start in life. Work underway to deliver this across the GLA includes promoting the London Living Wage, working with primary schools to pilot innovative approaches to tackling child poverty, and through my Healthy Early Years London programme, which is already reaching over 30,000 children under 5.
I will continue to work with partners including the NHS, local authorities, and Public Health England to see what more we can do together.

Social prescribing link workers

Onkar Sahota: How are you working towards your goal of a social prescribing link worker in every Primary Care Network?

The Mayor: GLA Officers are working in partnership with the NHS to support the development of social prescribing in London. They are developing networks across boroughs and STP areas and addressing local needs and priorities.
Learning Coordinators are providing training to approximately 100 new Primary Care Network (PCN) link workers in London, with more posts being recruited to.
It is not mandated by the NHS that PCNs have to recruit link workers, but previous partnership work between the NHS and the GLA has highlighted the benefits of social prescribing. Active GP clinical leads have helped the growing movement across London to position social prescribing as a key tool for creating health and wellbeing.

Peabody index 2019 (2)

Jennette Arnold: According to Peabody’s latest report, 9.3% of disabled Londoners are unemployed, compared to 7.6% on average. What are you doing to address this?

The Mayor: I am committed to doing what I can to help tackleLondon’s disability employment gap and am implementing various initiatives to achieve this.
To improve employment outcomes for disabled people I have match funded the devolved DWP London Work & Health Programme taking this £70 million government programme to £135 million.
Through the devolved Adult Education Budget, I have introduced full funding for first qualifications in British Sign Language for Deaf Londoners up to and including Level 2.
My £71 million ESF 2019-23 Programme aims to support more than 5,000 disabled people into training and employment. The next round due in the Spring will include £6.5 million of support for 16-24 years olds who are either NEET or have SEND.
The Start Up, Step Up programme, part-funded by ESF, will support 138 budding entrepreneurs who have disabilities.
My Good Work Standard will also support disabled people to access and progress into better quality jobs and aligns with DWP’s Disability Confident scheme.
We are also looking at how to offer more work placements across the GLA Family for Londoners with learning disabilities through TfL’s Steps into Work programme.

Young people’s mental health

Jennette Arnold: Girls in the UK are in the top 5 internationally for the level of stress experienced as a result of school pressures, according to education league table PISA. How do your education and health programmes support London’s girls?

The Mayor: The Young Londoners Fund has 125 projects focused on mental wellbeing for young people. For example, Groundwork are delivering ‘Girl SPACE’ which includes tailored personal development activities to help 75 young women in Southwark to build their resilience, make positive choices and reach their potential. The Youth Mental Health First Aid programme aims to upskill education and youth service staff across London to be able to better support young people’s mental health.
My Stepping Stones programme supports vulnerable young people in their transition from primary to secondary school. 430 Year 7 girls were supported by a peer mentor in 18/19 as part of the programme and the second cohort is underway.
Since 2013, my volunteering programme Team London Young Ambassadors, has engaged 2,200 schools and 450,000 students. Young participants have developed projects seeking to raise the confidence and public speaking ability of girls, host gender equality events and campaigns and break down expectations to focus on positive mental health for young Londoners.

Adult Education Budget consultation

Jennette Arnold: When will the results of the Adult Education Budget framework consultation be published?

The Mayor: A summary report of last year’s Skills for Londoners Framework consultation was published on the GLA website in December 2019. The report can be accessed at the following link: https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/skills-and-employment/skills-londoners/strategy-and-research

Mayor’s Construction Academy

Jennette Arnold: How successful has the Mayor’s Construction Academy been in terms of training the next generation of London’s construction professionals? Has it met its targets?

The Mayor: The Mayor’s Construction Academy (MCA) is designed to help more Londoners train in the skills they need to access construction industry vacancies across London.The MCA hub programme funds local coordination activity within partnerships of training providers, employers, local authorities and other organisations delivering in the sector to support Londoners to access learning and secure employment. In March 2019, seven hubs went live with a combined grant value of £1.47 million.
In the seven months of delivery reported to end of Q2 2019/20, 4,874 Londoners completed construction training through hub partners against a comparative target of 2,464. Of these learners, 3,399 were from BAME backgrounds against a comparative 2017/18 baseline of 1,518 and 511 were women against a comparative 2017/18 baseline of 331.

Thriving community in Barking and Dagenham

Onkar Sahota: What was the outcome of the Thriving Community programme in Barking and Dagenham?

The Mayor: Thrive Thamesview was a one-year (2019) mental health improvement pilot scheme run by the Mental Health Foundation in partnership with Thrive LDN and funded by the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.
Residents of Thamesview housing estate took part in facilitated peer-groups including a parenting group, secondary school peer education project, working-age adult ‘health and happiness’ group and business creation workshops and an older person’s group.
Over 400 residents benefitted with many reporting improved outcomes for less cost per person than three months of anti-depressant medication.
A full evaluation of the project will be published in Spring 2020.
Thrive Thamesview was one of a number of initiatives inspired by the Thrive LDN Community Conversations that collected the views of over 1,000 Londoners in 16 different boroughs set out in the Londoners Said report.
The Londoners Did report will be published in the next few weeks with more details.

Adult education and SEND

Jennette Arnold: Your own research revealed a stark lack of opportunities for young adults with SEND. What progress has been made under your Mayoralty to increase opportunities for young adults with SEND to access education and how will the Adult Education Budget further improve the situation?

The Mayor: As set out in my Skills for Londoners Strategy, I am committed to using the findings of the London Post-16 SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) Review to promote and support training provision that meets the needs of disabled Londoners.
While my powers are limited regarding funding provision for SEND learners, from the academic year 2020/21 I am introducing flexibilities within the Adult Education Budget (AEB) to fully fund relevant learning that upskills eligible teaching and learning support staff to deliver improved specialist provision for SEND learners within the further education sector. By upskilling the existing workforce, providers will be better placed to respond to the growing demand for SEND provision which will, in turn, help to increase the participation, retention and achievement of disabled Londoners in education and training.
From the academic year 2019/20, through the AEB, we are also fully funding deaf Londoners to study for a first qualification in British Sign Language.
I am also investing around £6.5 million of European Social Fund funding to support 16 to 24-year-olds with SEND who are not in education, employment or training to access training and employment opportunities.

Intelligent Speed Adaptation (7)

Caroline Russell: In your answer to my question 2019/6087 you committed to ask Transport for London (TfL) to investigate how to use Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA) in London’s vehicle fleets beyond buses. What progress has been made on this commitment?

The Mayor: The potential of Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) to prevent speeding and significantly reduce the risk of a fatal or serious collision has led Transport for London (TfL) to look at ways to incorporate the technology across other vehicle fleets. TfL is reviewing the potential for its own commercial vehicle fleet to include ISA and will be encouraging other organisations to do the same. This work includes reviewing the existing procurement specification to include ISA for new vehicles from this year, to ensure that TfL’s fleet includes the safest possible vehicles on the market.
Action 7 in my Vision Zero action plan explained that TfL would be “establishing vehicle safety and performance standards for new taxi and private hire vehicles and reviewing requirements for safety systems”. This work is progressing, and TfL is in discussion with vehicle manufacturers regarding the potential for enhanced safety technologies, including ISA.
TfL was also active in supporting the European Commission in the development of its General Safety Regulations that will require new motor vehicles, including trucks, buses, vans and cars to have ISA fitted as standard from 2022.

Mayoral Corporations - Pay

Susan Hall: Can you confirm whether either the OPDC or LLDC operate performance-related pay schemes, and provide details of each if so - including pay bands of those receiving it, and the amounts paid over the last 3 years?

The Mayor: LLDC
LLDC operates annual performance related increments (i.e. in order to achieve an increment on the pay scale a good standard of performance must be achieved based on performance against 1) objectives, 2) management and leadership competencies and 3) behaviours in line with the corporate values – each of these areas are equally weighted). All roles at LLDC are on the incremental pay table.
The only role which has a contractual bonus is the Chief Executive – the amounts paid over the last three years are as follows:
OPDC
OPDC does not operate performance related pay schemes.

Silvertown Tunnel (1)

Caroline Pidgeon: Following your announcement as the newly elected Mayor of London at Southwark Cathedral on the 7th May 2016 “to lead the most transparent, engaged and accessible administration... and to represent every single community, and every single part of our city, as Mayor for all Londoners," please can you ensure that every community in south east London and east London is fully aware of the contracts that TfL has signed over the proposed Silvertown Road Tunnel? Please explain why they have not been fully published.

The Mayor: The Silvertown Tunnel has long been in development as a vital new river crossing for east London. Transport for London (TfL) has spent significant time developing the scheme in close consultation with stakeholders, including users and local residents. The scheme was also subject to a six-month public examination as part of the Development Consent Order process.
In November 2019 the Riverlinx consortiumwasappointed and publicly announced to design, build, finance and maintain the Silvertown Tunnel after a competitive procurement process. The consortium is made up of Aberdeen Standard Investments, BAM PPP PGGM, Cintra, Macquarie Capital and SK Engineering & Construction.
In line with TfL’s Transparency Strategy - http://content.tfl.gov.uk/tfl-transparency-strategy.pdf - the Silvertown Tunnel Project Agreement will be published on the TfL website. Redactions to the Agreement will be applied in accordance with obligations under the Data Protection Act and the exemptions permitted under the Freedom of Information legislation. Given the complexity of the Agreement and the need to consult other parties, finalising the redacted Agreement is not a straightforward task. However, TfL anticipates that the Agreement will be published in the early part of 2020.

London Bus Routes (5)

Tony Devenish: How many new London bus routes have been introduced since May 2016?

The Mayor: Since May 2016, 11 new routes have been introduced. These are the routes 483, 684, EL3, 677, 301, 378, 335, X140, 218, 278 and 306. New route 497 will also be introduced in Havering on 25 January 2020.
This list does not include services which have been introduced to mitigate the closure of Hammersmith Bridge or any temporary services introduced to mitigate road works.

Bus Mileage (1)

Tony Devenish: What was the total bus mileage of the London bus network in May 2016?

The Mayor: Seasonal variations due to school holidays and other factors make it difficult to compare different times of year. In the four weeks to 28 May 2016, operated mileage was 23.4 million miles.
The total operated bus mileage in London in the 13 financial periods to 28 May 2016 was 305 million miles.

London Bus Routes (3)

Tony Devenish: How many London bus routes have seen a reduction in their frequency between May 2016 and today?

The Mayor: Please refer to my response to Mayor’s Question 2019/20388.
Since the response was produced in November 2019, there have been 40 further service changes, five of which have been reductions to service frequencies, alongside five frequency increases.

TfL Annual Travel Report (1)

Nicky Gavron: Are you satisfied that the progress on active and sustainable travel revealed in TfL’s most recent Annual Travel report is on track to meet your 80% target by 2041?

The Mayor: While the pace of change has slowed in recent years, primarily reflecting wider economic uncertainty, the overall trajectory of growing travel demand and a shift towards active, efficient and sustainable modes, is being maintained. Transport for London expects the proportion of trips made by these modes to increase from 63 per cent to around 65 per cent by 2024. This compares to 52 per cent in 2000.
My Walking Action Plan contains a range of actions to encourage and increase walking levels. Liveable Neighbourhoods, Healthy Streets Local Schemes and Transformational Schemes will contribute to creating better pedestrian and public realm environments across London. My Cycling Action Plan, published in December 2018, sets out a range of actions designed to enable more Londoners to cycle for their everyday trips.
Continuing and accelerating this trend requires adequate funding from central Government, and I will continue to make the case for government investment in London to support the city’s sustainable economic growth, which is essential to the UK’s overall success.

Intelligent Speed Adaptation (6)

Caroline Russell: At the recent Transport for London (TfL) Bus Safety Summit in November 2019, a speaker shared a screenshot of TfL’s Speed Compliance Tool. Can you please share any reports or data that show how this tool, and Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA), have changed the frequency of speeding by TfL buses in London?

The Mayor: The report relating to the impact of Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) on London bus speeds is in draft format and undergoing final review. The final version will be published on Transport for London’s website in the spring, alongside its other bus safety research.

Target for Healthy Early Years London (HEYL) signups

Onkar Sahota: As your target of 10% of early years settings signing up to the HEYL has been met early, will you review this goal and set a new one?

The Mayor: Targets will be reviewed after considering the findings and recommendations of the Year 1 evaluation of Healthy Early Years London which concluded in December 2019.

Great Northern Rail Franchise (3)

Joanne McCartney: When is it likely TfL could take over the Great Northern rail franchise if the government were to devolve the rail line to TfL? Would it have to wait until the end of the current franchise period in 2021 or could it be transferred sooner?

The Mayor: I am keen to secure the transfer of Great Northern services to Transport for London (TfL) from the Department for Transport (DfT) at the earliest opportunity.
However, ultimately, only the Secretary of State for Transport can enable this, requiring for example a statutory instrument to be laid before Parliament. TfL also must of course follow public sector procurement rules, and there would be many hundreds of contracts to amend. This means that, from the time of DfT’s approval in principle, any transfer would require between 18 and 30 months to deliver. This implies the services could transfer between autumn 2021 (after the current franchise expires) and autumn 2022.

Complaints for TfL Train and Underground Noise Disturbance

Jennette Arnold: The current online TfL complaints forms are not fit for purpose for those raising complaints about tube noise in their homes. Please detail how you will be making it easier for those Londoners, such as my constituents in Islington and Chingford, to record details of the ongoing noise disturbance they are forced to endure as a result of TfL rail or underground trains.

The Mayor: In 2017 a dedicated ‘noise and vibration’ category was added to Transport for London’s (TfL’s) enquiries and complaints webpage, to make it easier for residents to register complaints.
When residents select this box and specify in the free text box that this issue is related to residential noise, a specialist team of noise experts log the complaint so that London Underground engineers can investigate. Complainants are also asked to complete a short questionnaire, which helps TfL investigate their specific issue as quickly as possible.
I have asked TfL to contact your office, to further understand the issues being faced by any constituents when using the current complaints form.

Oyster discounts with student Railcard discount (1)

Caroline Pidgeon: Although the student Railcard discount should lead to discounts on Tube, DLR, London Overground, TfL Rail as well as National Rail services I have received reports that students do not automatically receive such discounts. Please set out whether TfL has any plans to fully co-operate with train operating companies and ensure that automatic discounts apply to students on all TfL services?

The Mayor: The National Rail 16-25 Railcard is aimed at all young people, including students, in that age group. The Railcard itself is not valid for travel – it allows the holder to buy discounted National Rail tickets. In London, passengers in possession of the Railcard can ask Transport for London staff to set the Railcard discount on an Oyster card to get 1/3 off off-peak pay as you go fares.

Public health grant 2020/21

Onkar Sahota: What is your assessment of the public health grant for 2020/21 due to be announced by the Government imminently?

The Mayor: I was pleased to see the commitment made in the September 2019 spending round that after years of cuts, the government would be increasing the public health grant in real terms next year – though we do not know by how much. As I have repeatedly stated, including in my submission to the secretary of state on the prevention green paper, I want to see a reversal of the cuts in the public health grant to local authorities. Government must increase investment in public health, prevention and addressing the root causes of ill health.

Measuring social value in the NHS supply chain (1)

Onkar Sahota: What discussions have you had with NHS leaders about increasing the social value generated by their supply chains?

The Mayor: I want the extensive public procurement of products and services across London to deliver lasting positive change. The GLA Group aims to lead by example by delivering social value through the Responsible Procurement Policy and Action Implementation Plan that delivers a range of social, economic and environmental benefits.
My Health Inequalities Strategy Stakeholder Guide for Healthcare calls on the NHS and other healthcare organisations to review their procurement processes to target investment on the local economy, and to encourage organisations within their supply chain to pay the London Living Wage.

A12/Whalebone Road North Pedestrian Crossing

Unmesh Desai: My constituents are very concerned that the lack of pedestrian crossing across Whalebone Road North at the junction with the A12 causes a safety risk to pedestrians and cyclists. Please detail the work being done by TfL to mitigate this risk.

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) is aware of the severance issues posed by this junction, and is already working with the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham to improve north-south accessibility for cyclists across the A12 between Marks Gate and Chadwell Heath. While there are no existing plans for new signalised crossings over Whalebone Lane North, I have asked TfL to look at whether crossings might be feasible as part of its Healthy Streets investment programme.